HOLY CROCODILE BATMAN!!!

On the main drag in Normanton near the shire hall, stretches a replica of a crocodile shot by a female croc hunter in 1957. From tooth to tail it is over 8 metres in length and would have weighed 2 tonnes. That’s a big snapper and standing next to it is frightening if you let your imagine run wild.

Normanton has a railway museum, which is quite quaint. Verdant, leafy, lush plants grow in pots on the railway platform with the building surrounded by well-tended gardens. The souvenir shop has the usual bits and pieces but the t-shirts are made in Australia (something unusual). Friendly staff was happy to help and share local knowledge. There are two resident brolgas (proud, grey, tall water birds) that have been there for 18 years. A successful charity has raised significant funds for The Flying Doctor Service and other beneficiaries by selling $1 shares in the brolgas. I purchased a share each for Matthew and Emma (nephew and niece) and Jade (great niece). I managed to snap a couple of photos before a too-eager tourist scared them off.

Robert was intrigued by the engine of a small train that took tourists on a short lap of the rail yards. A small museum held many objects including a collection of cameras so I took a few photos for Heath (de facto son-in-law) as he collects old cameras.

There are more pubs than shops in Normanton and the local service station is interesting. With only one way to enter the station (not sign-posted) because the mechanic is working in the other lane fixing wheel bearings on a 4WD, a queue quickly forms (from 2 different entry points). There is potential for conflict and servo rage and it’s something that could be easily avoided with a couple of signs. The “workshop” wouldn’t meet OH&S standards and a pile of barrels, tyres and other “stuff” litter the surrounds.